Author: Dave Hearn

Here are NGC 7023 and LBN 487, collectively also known as the Iris Nebula, is one of the most well-known reflection nebulae in the night sky. Located in the constellation Cepheus, the light from this nebula – which it receives from a nearby hot, young star – reveals the details of its intricate structures. This Read More …

The Cave Nebula, or Sh2-155, is an emission nebula in the constellation of Cepheus, located at roughly 2,400 light years away from Earth. The Cave Nebula is an interesting astronomical feature in the night sky, but it is not one of the most well-known nebulae. The Cave Nebula is composed primarily of clouds of dust Read More …

Here is the 2023 update for my “best” image of M31, the Andromeda Galaxy. This is a milestone in my astrophotography journey, as I have captured new data on M31 this year, and then added last year’s image data as well. This proves the concept that it is possible to constantly improve images by adding Read More …

Here is a current visitor to our solar system: Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF). ZTF stands for the Zwicky Transient Facility, which is located at the Mount Palomar Observatory. The comet was discovered there last March when it was 399 million miles (643 million kilometers) from the sun, just inside the orbit of Jupiter. This image Read More …

Here is the Helix Nebula, NGC 7293. It has also been called the Eye of God, or the Eye of Sauron. The Helix Nebula is a perfect example of a Planetary Nebula, formed by an intermediate to low-mass star, which sheds its outer layers near the end of its life. Gases from the star in Read More …